WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to growing concerns over the role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within the Social Security Administration (SSA), Acting Social Security Commissioner Lee Dudek has issued a public statement to reassure Americans that Social Security payments and personal data remain secure.
“Our continuing priority is paying beneficiaries the right amount at the right time and providing other critical services people rely on from us,” Dudek stated.
The announcement comes after weeks of public scrutiny and political pressure surrounding DOGE’s increased involvement in federal agencies, particularly the SSA, which serves more than 73 million Americans through Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.
Why Is DOGE Overseeing the SSA?
President Donald Trump tasked DOGE, led by Elon Musk, with modernizing government systems, cutting down on waste, and rooting out fraud and abuse within federal agencies. Now, DOGE has turned its attention to the SSA—an agency that handles critical services for millions of retirees, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals.
Dudek has acknowledged DOGE’s objectives and expressed support for improving government efficiency:
“Good government means finding ways to do better… DOGE is a critical part of President Trump’s commitment to identifying fraud, waste, and abuse,” Dudek said.
Dudek’s Assurances: Safeguarding Payments and Privacy
Dudek emphasized that Social Security beneficiaries will continue to receive their payments on time and in full. His statement aims to calm fears sparked by reports of DOGE’s broad access to federal data and the controversial resignation of former Acting Commissioner Michelle King, who reportedly stepped down after refusing to grant DOGE access to the Enterprise Data Warehouse, a system containing sensitive personal information.
Key reassurances from Dudek’s statement include:
- Payments are secure: Beneficiaries will receive their payments without delays or reductions.
- Data privacy remains intact: Personal information stored by the SSA will not be altered or accessed without proper legal oversight.
- Oversight is in place: Dudek has invited the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to review all DOGE-related activities within the SSA to ensure transparency and accountability.
Limits on DOGE’s Access to SSA Systems
In an effort to clarify DOGE’s role, Dudek outlined the strict limitations placed on DOGE personnel working with SSA data:
- READ-ONLY Access: DOGE personnel cannot change SSA systems, benefit payments, or other records.
- Restricted Data Access: DOGE does not have access to any data covered by court-ordered restrictions.
- Legal Accountability: Any legal violations by DOGE personnel will be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution.
“DOGE personnel must follow the law, and if they violate the law, they will be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution,” Dudek emphasized.
Why Social Security Is So Critical
The SSA provides a financial safety net for millions of Americans. In January 2025, over 73 million people received Social Security or SSI payments, including:
- 54.5 million retirees, receiving an average monthly benefit of $1,929.20.
- Millions of disabled individuals and low-income recipients who rely on SSI benefits.
Without these payments, an estimated 37.3% of older adults would fall below the poverty line, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Transparency, Oversight, and Future Actions
Dudek, a long-time anti-fraud expert who has worked with the SSA since 2009, has pledged to maintain transparency while DOGE carries out its mandate. To ensure unbiased oversight, Dudek has contacted the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to monitor all DOGE-related activity within the SSA:
“I contacted the Office of the Inspector General to provide them an opportunity to oversee and review any and all agency activities, including my actions past, present, and future,” Dudek said.
This move aims to assure both the public and lawmakers that DOGE’s efforts will not compromise the integrity or reliability of SSA services.
What’s Next for DOGE and the SSA?
While Dudek’s reassurances provide temporary relief, questions remain about DOGE’s long-term influence on the SSA and other federal agencies. Key developments to monitor include:
- Ongoing Congressional scrutiny over DOGE’s data access policies.
- Potential legal challenges from privacy advocates and lawmakers who believe DOGE’s involvement could violate existing data protection laws.
- Updates from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding any findings from its oversight activities.
